The Falins say they air done
now. Uncle Judd don't believe 'em, but I do, an' I'm thinkin' I
won't go. I've got a leetle money, an' I want to know if I can't
buy back Uncle Judd's house an' a leetle ground around it. Our
folks is tired o' fightin' and I couldn't live on t'other side of
the mountain, after they air gone, an' keep as healthy as on this
side--so I thought I'd see if I couldn't buy back June's old home,
mebbe, an' live thar."
Hale watched him keenly, wondering what his game was--and he went
on: "I know the house an' land ain't wuth much to your company,
an' as the coal-vein has petered out, I reckon they might not axe
much fer it." It was all out now, and he stopped without looking
at Hale. "I ain't axin' any favours, leastwise not o' you, an' I
thought my share o' Mam's farm mought be enough to git me the
house an' some o' the land."
"You mean to live there, yourself?"
"Yes."
"Alone?" Dave frowned.
"I reckon that's my business."
"So it is--excuse me." Hale lighted his pipe and the mountaineer
waited--he was a little sullen now.
"Well, the company has parted with the land.
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